CITY OF BOULDER POSITION DESCRIPTION DATE: 11/2010. DEPARTMENT/DIVISION: Boulder Public Library

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1 POSITION TITLE: Director, Library Services CITY OF BOULDER POSITION DESCRIPTION DATE: 11/2010 EMPLOYEE GROUP: MGMT/Exempt DEPARTMENT/DIVISION: Boulder Public Library OVERALL JOB OBJECTIVE: Under the general direction of the City Manager and supervision of a Deputy City Manager, the Director serves as the leader of the Boulder Public Library and its primary public representative. Under the City Manager s direction, and in partnership with the staff, elected and appointed officials, and key stakeholders, the Director: o ensures that the Library fulfills its mission and creates strategies that ensure its future success, o leads the department through the development of strategic and annual work plans, by directing and guiding departmental projects, services and programs, o is responsible for management and supervision of staff, facilities, and public services of the library system, o provides professional guidance and acts as a policy advisor to the City Manager s Office, City Council, Library and Arts Commissions, and other groups, and o is responsible for fiscal strategies, budget development and administration of library expenditures and revenues. LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES As a leadership position within the City s Management Team, the Director is expected to have and utilize the following competencies: Managing Vision and Purpose: anticipates future trends and integrates possibilities into a clear vision; communicates that vision in an inclusive and compelling fashion that inspires others. Building Effective Teams: aligns the team with a common vision; provides the necessary structure and support for the team to achieve successful results, always celebrating the group effort. Strategic Agility: continuously adapts and adjusts; strategizes to allow for innovative solutions that best fit the organization; actively monitors possible implementation problems and evolving needs, and selects efficient and effective alternatives. Political Savvy: creates consensus through good inter-personal skills and has a strong understanding of political issues, maintaining high ethical standards while also working subtly and effectively with the existing organizational structure; avoids missteps by calculating the outcome and consequences of alternative courses of action based on a realistic assessment of the situation; is fully aware of the political landscape and adjusts actions, as necessary, to avoid pitfalls. Innovation Management: actively solicits and fosters the ideas of others; evaluating their practical and creative merits as solutions to current and future problems, thereby improving the services valued by customers. Interpersonal Savvy: hears and understands the unspoken as well the partially spoken thoughts, feelings, and concerns of others; relates appropriately to a wide variety of people of diverse backgrounds even in high-conflict situations. Managerial Courage: sustains and reinforces excellent performance of others by identifying clear and relevant measures of success; deals directly with difficult staff issues, interpersonal problems and emotionally charged situations; is unafraid to speak the truth to all levels and positions and does so with tact and skill. PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The following list identifies principal duties and responsibilities of the job. It is not a definitive list and other duties may be assigned by the City Manager and/or her/his designee.

2 1. Plans, organizes, and directs all activities concerning the administration of library services to the City of Boulder, including all library facilities. 2. Oversees the employment, retention, promotion, transfer and termination of library personnel consistent with approved city policies, rules and regulations. 3. Represents the library system at various professional conferences and public meetings; makes presentations, gives speeches, attends and chairs meetings and acts as a spokesperson with the media when appropriate. 4. Creates a climate of acceptance for new library concepts, programs and services, and a positive highquality image of the Boulder Public Library, highlighting its quality and high standards through personal and professional contact with the City Manager, Library Commission, City Council, and other City of Boulder departments; federal, state and local elected and appointed officials, local and regional media; civic organizations; professional associations and colleagues. 5. Oversees administration of library functions including but not limited to: implementing the Library Master Plan and developing strategic plans and annual work programs; directing and guiding work on departmental projects and programs; coordinating and managing complex projects; administering the department budget; and developing and maintaining strong collaborative partnerships with library stakeholders. 6. Promotes a culture that reflects the organization s values, encourages excellent performance, and rewards high productivity and innovation. 7. Provides leadership and sets strategic direction of the Library organization to achieve the city s social, economic, and environmental goals and to implement the library s work plan. 8. Acts as the staff liaison with the City Council-appointed Library Commission, established in Boulder s City Charter, and the city s community arts grants program and staff support to the City Council-appointed Arts Commission. 9. Ensures that the Library provides excellent customer service through solution-oriented staff response to customer needs and by responsiveness and continuous improvement of the organization, while balancing the needs of the city. 10. Promotes, develops and maintains positive working relationships with colleagues and customers such as key stakeholders and groups, higher education institutions such as the University of Colorado and Naropa University, the business community, Boulder Valley School District, non-profit agencies, neighborhood groups; other regional libraries and districts statewide, and national library organizations. 11. Other: Performs related duties as required to meet the needs of the city. Attends night meetings primarily for Library and Arts Commissions and City Council and occasionally other boards and commissions. Also attends public meetings and other events occurring outside of normal work hours including nights and occasionally weekends. Takes proper safety precautions to prevent accidents, and is responsible for the safety of self, others, materials, and equipment. Uses all required safety equipment and follows all safety regulations, policies and procedures. Reports all accidents and damage to city property. Responsible for knowing and complying with all city and department policies; participating in professional trainings and development; and adhering to attendance and workplace attire policies. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES Exhibits a working knowledge of current management and leadership best practices, and the ability to apply these effectively to the Boulder Public Library. Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with the Library Commission, City and State Officials, the Library s senior management team and other library staff, community officials, and the public. Willingness to assist and support coworkers, contribute ideas and maintain flexibility. Willingness to contribute to on-going development of Library-wide philosophy, mission and services. Ability to adapt to a rapidly changing environment. Skill in interpersonal communication. Excellent communication skills: strong listening, verbal, written, presentation and public speaking skills. Ability to do technical writing for policies, procedures, proposals,

3 grants, reports, etc. Ability to effectively write correspondence, particularly when responding to issues raised by the public, elected and appointed officials. Strong mediation, facilitation, and diplomacy abilities, including the ability to work effectively with a wide range of individuals and groups in controversial situations. Well-developed customer service skills, and proven ability to support a solution-oriented staff response to customer needs. Commitment to and skill in supervising people. Willingness and ability to provide positive managerial example. Willingness and ability to foster an environment in which employees are self-motivated and can exhibit high morale. Capacity to recognize and utilize talents of others. Demonstrated leadership skills the ability to engage staff and shape the culture of an organization, including in a collective bargaining group environment. Experience with strategic planning, organizational restructuring, facilities planning, financial management, library technology, best practice library operations, public presentations, community collaboration, management of boards and advisory committees, fund raising, community outreach, and cultural programming and the arts. Ability to strategize, conceptualize, consolidate support, and implement innovative programming and services to achieve an appropriate balance of traditional and technology-based methods and materials. A track record for developing, guiding and implementing innovative products and practices. Demonstrated ability to coordinate and manage complex projects involving competing interests and objectives, effectively represent diverse interests, and objectively evaluate alternative approaches. A strong commitment to and the ability to integrate the broader perspectives of economic, environmental, and social sustainability into a larger vision and eventual work product. Willingness and ability to understand and support the fundamental principles of library services. Broad understanding and ability to oversee administration of information technology and to plan for the implementation of new technology as appropriate. Ability to make realistic budget proposals, to operate within established budgetary guidelines, and to identify and analyze budgetary impact of proposed service additions, enhancements or modifications. A track record of (a) solving problems and resolving issues in difficult, complex and/or contentious situations; and (b) producing high quality results relative to work plans, operations, and initiatives. Ability and willingness to navigate sometimes politically challenging environments, while maintaining focus and drive. Ability and willingness to work irregular hours including night and weekend meetings for boards and commissions, City Council and other events. Excellent computer software skills including, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. WORKING CONDITIONS - Required Physical and Mental Effort, and Environmental Conditions: Physical and Mental Effort: Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities that permits the employee to communicate effectively on the telephone and in person. Sufficient vision or other powers of observation that permits the employee to review, evaluate and prepare a variety of written documents and materials. Sufficient manual dexterity that permits the employee to operate computer equipment and other office equipment. Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, which permits the employee to work in an office setting. Work may include extended periods of time viewing a computer video monitor and/ or operating a keyboard. Ability to work under stress from demanding deadlines, public contact, and changing priorities and conditions. Work Environment: Works primarily in a clean, comfortable environment. Works in a setting subject to continuous interruptions and background noises. Machines and equipment used include, but are not limited to the following: Frequently uses city vehicle, and standard office equipment including personal computers, telephones, calculators and copy/fax machines. ACCOMMODATIONS: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

4 The ideal candidate will be a proven leader in the public or non-profit sector with experience in board/ commission relationships, managing and creating innovative services, managing and developing staff, fostering relationships with engaged stakeholders and customers, and developing revenue sources. A Master s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration and/or Library and Information Sciences or in a related field, and at least eight years of experience managing and/or leading as a senior manager or Chief Executive Office in a complex organization and/or equivalent education and experience. Valid driver s license. Have and maintain acceptable background information, including criminal conviction history, motor vehicle record and credit history. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS In addition to the required minimum qualifications: Prior work experience in a municipal public or university library system. Experience in a university community. Experience with promoting and managing arts and cultural programs. Experience with community sustainability efforts involving economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Experience in service industry and/or other related private sector experience. Experience managing staff in a union/ bargaining group environment. Note: The above description is illustrative only. It is not meant to be all-inclusive. CITY VISION AND VALUES: The City of Boulder is committed to service excellence for an inspired future and the following values: Customer service - We are dedicated to exceeding the expectations of our community and our coworkers by demonstrating consistent and professional service with a solution-oriented approach Respect - We champion diversity and welcome individual perspectives, backgrounds and opinions. We are open-minded and treat all individuals with respect and dignity. Integrity - We are stewards of the public s trust and are committed to service that is transparent and consistent with city regulations and policies. We are honorable, follow through on our commitments and accept responsibility. Collaboration - We are committed to organizational success and celebrate our shared dedication to public service. We believe community collaboration and the sum of our individual contributions leads to great results. Innovation - We promote a forward-thinking environment that supports creativity, calculated risks and continuous improvement. We embrace change and learn from others in order to deliver leading edge service. All city supervisors are responsible for appropriately incorporating the principles of community sustainability into work on a routine basis; understanding and enforcing relevant collective bargaining agreements and management policies; hiring and firing supervised employees or making related recommendations; ensuring employees are trained initially and on an ongoing basis, as needed; providing appropriate feedback to employees by monitoring day-to-day performance; completing performance evaluations on time; correcting problems in employee work habits or performance in a timely manner; prioritizing and scheduling work functions and vacations; ensuring adherence to established safety standards; ensuring the timely completion and submission of all paperwork required by the city to process employee transactions, insurance or injury claims, etc.; maintaining related records; and ensuring the accuracy of reported time use. I understand that nothing in this position description restricts the city s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. I also understand that this position description reflects the city s assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe nor restrict the tasks that may be assigned. I further understand that this position description may be subject to change at any time, and that the person filling this position serves at the will of the City Manager and/or her/his designees(s).

5 I have reviewed this document and discussed its contents with my supervisor and I fully understand the nature and purpose of this position description and its related duties. Employee Date